PRESENT:
Dennis Cavanaugh, Chair
Larry Porn, Vice Chair
Solomon Johnson, Secretary

Chad Cramer, Board
Scott Gifford, Board
Georgia Kitchen, Board
Les LeMieux, Board
Kay Schwartz, Board
Garry Viele, Board
Charles Wright, Board
Robin Rabidue, Marketing

Call to order at 5:17pm. Chair Dennis Cavanaugh presiding.

The problem of getting the GenTech dial-up on line was resolved. The telephone numbers for GFN had been assigned to another organization. New numbers were assigned to GFN and are working. Larry Porn has been monitoring the modems and has asked Kenny Thomas to look at usage.

Press Release.
Scott Gifford will send his writeup to Denny Cavanaugh who will install in the ~SWhat's New~T section of the GFN Web page. The press release will be submitted to the Flint Journal and attempts will be made to obtain coverage on TV channels 12 and 25.

Automatic Member Poll.
Denny Cavanaugh will generate the questions for Scott to use in polling GFN membership.

The New Phone Numbers.
The process of transitioning GFN membership to the new dial-in numbers has begun.

Finalizing The ELGA Account.
Kay Schwartz reported that funds were transferred from Citizens Bank to ELGA Credit Union last week. $3000 was left at Citizens to cover any checks not yet cleared. Kenny Thomas will be reminded to cash his check.

BKR Dupuis & Ryden is working on the final tax report. When done GFN will get a new State of Michigan certificate permitting solicitation of funds. Denny Cavanaugh is now a signer on the ELGA account. Denny brought to the meeting items from the office requiring treasurer Harvey Sherman's attention and forms to be signed to allow other signers on the ELGA account. It was commented that Harvey wants to do checks electronically through ELGA but the $45 fee to implement the service was deemed not economical for the small number of checks expected to be written on the GFN account.

Kay Schwartz explained that the nonprofit determination letter from IRS can be used to satisfy requests for tax exempt status when purchases are made for GFN.

Matter Arising.
There was discussion of the number of Merit modems to commit to support from July, 2005 to July, 2006. Preference was expressed to extending the GenTech PRI's before the Merit modems are reduced. Some lead time will be needed to get the additional telephone lines in. It was estimated that seven (7) weeks would be needed to get lines installed. Mentioned was the estimated 15% premium Merit will require for GFN to be billed quarterly for the modems supported. Should the Merit reduction be gradual from 40 to 30 to 20?

After some discussion, Larry Porn moved that beginning July 1, 2005 GFN commit to support 25 Merit modems for the next year and increase the GenTech pool to 69 modems. Garry Viele supported the motion. The motion carried.

Board chair Denny Cavanaugh will write the letter to Merit about the number of modems being changed to for the next year, insuring that one (1) token is retained for Montrose and that GFN continues to has access to the sixteen (16) Greater Flint Education Consortium modems in the Merit pool. GFN needs to obtain a breakdown of costs but savings of about 50% are expected.

There was discussion of increasing office hours during the modem transition period. Scott Gifford and Denny Cavanaugh offered to be available and the increased coverage is to begin early June. It is expected that calls will be made to members who have not changed to the new numbers.

Wireless networks are developing. Is there opportunity for GFN here?

Georgia Kitchen questioned whether GFN wanted to participate in the July 4^th festivities of the Flint Arts Council. The table fee is $50. Another activity, Seniors at Crossroads, may be a marketing opportunity for GFN. Georgia will check for specifics.

Chad Cramer commented that the Web Site committee had been discussing ideas. Eliminating the fee for Web space for organizations might make GFN more competitive. Larry Porn will send a list of Organization Accounts fees to the board.

Robin Rabidue wanted to discuss an e-mail problem but Kenny Thomas was unable to attend the meeting.

Adjournment: 6:30pm.

Next Meeting:
Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 5:15 pm at the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Respectfully Submitted,

Solomon T Johnson, Secretary